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Pain Management Clinic

Topic Overview

Chronic pain
often requires both counseling and medical treatment, because it can have a
wearing effect on both the body and the mind. At
a pain management clinic, you can get multidisciplinary treatment
from a team of specialists, including:

Physiatrists. These medical doctors
specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They often coordinate
a chronic pain treatment team.

Psychologists or counselors. They teach
cognitive-behavioral skills for managing pain,
anxiety, and depression.

Physical therapists. They teach exercises
for improving and maintaining strength, function, and
mobility.

Doctors who prescribe pain medicine and are skilled in
pain management devices and procedures. These doctors include neurologists,
anesthesiologists, physiatrists or physical medicine specialists, internists,
and family medicine doctors.

Doctors who prescribe medicine for
supporting mental health. These doctors include psychiatrists and family medicine
doctors.

A nurse or social worker to help coordinate care.

Other specialists, such as
complementary medicine providers, may also be
available in a chronic pain management clinic. These specialists meet to share
information and make sure that care is coordinated.

Some chronic
pain clinics have a stronger emphasis on invasive treatment, such as injections
and surgical procedures, than others. Look for a clinic that offers you a
choice of noninvasive treatments, including cognitive-behavioral therapy.
Before having an invasive pain treatment, ask your doctor about his or her
experience with that treatment. Also, ask about research that shows how well it works
for your condition.

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How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.